What else can you do in Adelaide when you’re here for the Forum?
Plenty!
As a small, walkable city, Adelaide has heaps to offer travelers. Whether you’re into nature, food, wine, nightlife, culture, or something else, here are some suggestions that the locals recommend for ATF delegates.
Getting around
Adelaide’s public transport info can be found here. There is also a free tram that runs through the city.
Uber users will find that there are plenty of cars around, and taxi services can be found at Independent, Suburban and 13CABS.
There’s a free bike program with info here and bike path info here.
Nature
Adelaide is situated between the ocean and the hills. Check out its beautiful beaches by hopping on a train to Grange or Semaphore, or a tram to Glenelg. If you’re up for a hills adventure, Mount Lofty offers a fantastic view of the city and provides a great exercise opportunity if you’re into getting your blood pumping.
Port Adelaide is the home to a group of one of the most urbanised groups of bottlenose dolphins in the world. You can catch a train to the Port River which is a 20 minute journey.
If you’d rather hang out in the city, there are plenty of green options close by, with the Botanic Gardens on North Terrace, loads of city squares throughout the CBD and parklands surrounding each side of town, and of course, the River Torrens and its banks providing plenty of space for picnics, afternoon naps in the sun or a sunset walk or bike ride.
Food, wine and coffee
South Australia is renowned for its great fresh produce. For a memorable food shopping experience, head to the Central Markets in the heart of the city, where you’ll find a huge array of food, cuisines, baked goods, meat, health food, services all under one roof.
Adelaide is known as the wine capital of Australia, so if you’re coming for the weekend before or after the forum (and we hope you do!), you might like to visit one of our world class wine regions, each located within 90 minutes drive from the city centre. Head northeast of the city for the Barossa, south for McLaren Vale, or east for the Adelaide Hills.
You’ll find great coffee throughout the city at places such as Coffee Branch, Peter Rabbit, Bliss, Zuma, Lucia’s, E for Ethel, Mister Sunshine’s, A Mother’s Milk, Troppo, The Flinders Street Project, La Moka, Peel St Cafe and more.
If you want to unwind with a wine or cocktail, look no further than Peel and Leigh Streets (off Hindley Street) for a range of small bars catering for a range of tastes and budgets. And if you’re looking to dance the night away, check out what Ancient World, La Boheme or Casablabla have on offer.
If the pub scene is more your style, The Exeter on Rundle Street is an Adelaide institution, as is The Wheatsheaf in Thebarton (a five minute free tram ride out of town) which boasts an on-site brewery, and a very decent whiskey menu. The Grace Emily has no pokies and live music almost every night of the week, you’ll find that on Waymouth Street in the city.
Arts & culture
North Terrace is host to the State Library of SA, the SA Museum, the Art Gallery of SA, the Botanical Gardens, Samstag Museum, The Lion Arts Centre (featuring the Jam Factory, Nexus Arts Centre, Mercury Cinema and ACE Open).
On the east side of town you’ll find Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute on Grenfell Street, featuring a large gallery space, cafe and shop.
Adelaide has a thriving ARI scene, and we recommend checking out Format, FELTspace and The Mill.
If you make your way to the Port, you’ll find Fontanelle (ARI) and the SA Maritime Museum, as well as Wonderwalls, a self guided walking tour of more than 20 murals.
In addition to the jam-packed OzAsia Festival program, where your ATF delegate pass will enable discount tickets to select performances, there are a range of other events on during the dates of the forum which we will highlight as the dates approach. Whether it’s theatre, community activities, film, literature, gardens, art, music or something else that you’re searching for, we’ll be able to point you in its direction.